A police manhunt is underway for a 17-year-old suspect wanted in connection with the shooting of five people near the University of Iowa in the early hours of Sunday.
In a Wednesday statement, the Iowa City Police Department said they were in pursuit of Damarian M. Jones after the shooting in a nightlife district at about 1:45 a.m. near the college's campus. Police are appealing to the public for information on his whereabouts, noting he is from Cedar Rapids.
Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith told a news conference Wednesday that Jones was wanted on multiple charges, including five counts of attempted murder, three counts of willful injury causing serious injury, two counts of willful injury causing bodily injury, and one count of going armed with intent.
One woman remains in a critical condition in the hospital after receiving a "life-threatening injury to her head," police said. One victim remains in the hospital in a stable condition, and the other three have been released.
Police say that one person was hit in the arm and in the chest, causing serious injuries that required surgery; one was struck in the leg and underwent multiple surgeries; one was struck in the stomach, and another was hit in both legs.
Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston said at the news conference that video evidence showed Jones engaged in a fight at the 100 block of East College Street, with reports suggesting up to 40 people were involved.
"Over the course of the fight, Jones obtained a firearm for from another individual. During a break in the fight, Jones, walked away from the other participants, drew the firearm and fired six times into the crowded pedestrian mall," he said.
Liston stressed that none of the victims were specifically targeted or involved in the fight.
Liston also described the dramatic scenes as two police officers provided CPR to victims at the scene, while one officer applied a tourniquet to one victim and took them to the hospital in his squad car.
Police have so far seized three firearms and ammunition and more charges are expected. More than 150 tips have been sent in so far and nearly 36 search warrants obtained.
"This was, and remains a deeply painful moment for our community," Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague told the news conference. "Our heartfelt thoughts remain with the victims, their families and everyone in and outside Iowa City who was affected. These lives were changed in an instant, and our entire city stands with them as they begin the healing process."
Mark Bullock, the university's assistant vice president for campus safety, said there would be four additional police officers from the university's police department on the downtown beat, alongside additional officers from ICPD.
